Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-01-20
RoBEnr eARnErrs NEW HoUsE.
Probably the BandsomcSt I'm This
Part of sIie Country.


Baltimore SUI OF ThutsiAy.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Garrett gave bal
on Wednesday night in honor Of the com
pletion of their new residence on Mt.
Vernon Place, between Charles and
Cathedral streets. II was the most bril-
liant private entertainment of the kind
ever given in Baltimore. Among the in
vited guests were prominent society
women and business men from different
parts of the country. The honse, which
is, perhaps, the handsomest in this part
of the country, was beautifully decorated
! for the occasion. Its site, which is 62xl60
feet, was formerly occupied by two large
four story residences, from which circum-
stance an idea may be had OF its size.
The building is three stories in hight,
With basement, and has solid front Of
brown stone. Tue style of architecture
is probably more on the order OF the
French Renaissance than anything else.
The main entrance ia by an enclosed por-
tico. with massive doors opepi Y into a
grand ball. two stories in hight, with
paneled walls snd ceiling aud opcn fire
place, after the style of an old English
manor. All the wood work is OF
English black oak and elabofately
carved. The hall is enriched with
panel decorations and with choice paint
ings, largely of original portraits by Sir
Peter Lely, Goinsborougb, Angelica
Kaufman, and other noted painters and
also with steel suits of mail, all of which
increase the effectiveness of the manorial
design. 4
On the right of the hall as yon enter is
a reception room, with unique corner
fireplace, and on the left are the phrior,
ballroom and salon. These later are
finished in white and gold, with richly
paneled ceilings. Back of the hall is a
splendid library, finished in mahogany,
and inthe rear of that is the lnrge dining.
room, which is quantity finished in the
old Dutch style, with odd Hooking lmHet
and fireplace deliberately carved. The
parlor and the library are uphols cred in
fine examples of Gobelin tapestry, with
deep friezes of allegoricel paintings by
artists of distinction. All Of these rooms
open out by way of a balcony into the
conservatory, which is AZ by 80 feet in
size, and perfect paradise of rat exotic
plants and flowers, playing fount aims and
bubbiing springs, down upon the moon
light shines; Ascending the broad stair |
way, and passing along gallery over
looking the grand hall, you enter two |
large chambers, which are finitht d in |
mahogany, with dressing and bath rooms |
attached, which are beautiful in frescoes |
md carvings. The baths are of marble. |
The chambers and dressing and retiring
rooms on the third as we'll as on the |
second floor are complete in all particu
lars and conveniences that appertain TO /
the most finished style of highly decora-
tive art
Perhaps in completeness of arrange.
ment, combined with the most liberal pro |
vision of rooms and enriched furniture,
In art the building will vie in excellence
with the most elaborate structures of |
modern times. Throughout the house the |
floors are inlaid in different kinds of fancy |
woods, upon which are Daehsstan, |
Turkey and Persian carpets and rugs, |
rich in their oriental magnifcence. There |
are also cabinets of precious tokens of |
curious designs, among which are minia-
lures, snuff-boxes, diamonds, &c, each /
with story and history to itself. The
building is substantially constructed from
foundation up, and is built with a view
to being as near fire. proof as possible
1t has iron giTders and joists inlaid with
lime of teal, compound which is non
combustible. Each story is impervious
to fire from floor to floor. The structure
was nearly three years building, and
large number of skilled workmen were
constantly employed. The architects
were Messrs. McKim, Meade and White
Of New York. The Western Mt. Vernon
Square, which, together with the eastern
square, was beautiful at Mr.. Garrett's ex-
pense, fronts his new residence. The
bridal-veil fountains in these squares are
similar to the fountains in the White
House grounds at Washington, and we're
imported by Mr.. Garrett from Paris